MY PLAN TO TACKLE

RATES
WASTE
& DEBT

Authorised by Vic Crone, 905/86 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland

BUILDING A WORLD CLASS AUCKLAND

We need to build a world class Auckland where all our families can live, work and play.
To do this, Auckland Council needs a clear vision and strong, fiscally responsible
leadership. With 20 years business and governance experience, that is the leadership I
will provide.
We need to invest in critical infrastructure, deliver core services better, reduce waste and
ensure ratepayers get value for money. We need to do it in a coordinated way.
I will balance keeping rates as low as possible with critical infrastructure investment to
build a world class Auckland featuring an ecient council, a smart, integrated transport
network and more aordable housing.
My plan will ensure Aucklanders can aord to live here, raise their families here, and
enjoy the lifestyle our city oers.

Vic Crone for Mayor | My Plan To Tackle Rates, Waste & Debt

"2

KEEPING YOUR RATES LOW

I know that ratepayers are better placed than the Mayor and Council to spend their
hard-earned money. Thats why Im committed to keeping your rates low, leading a
fiscally responsible Council and investing in the critical infrastructure our city needs
as it grows. As your Mayor, I will:

Cap the average rates increase at 2 per cent annually for all residential
ratepayers, over the next three years.
Last year ratepayers faced an average rates rise of 9.9 per cent, with some
areas seeing increases of over 15 per cent.
My plan will keep rates as low as possible for all residential ratepayers and
enable critical infrastructure investment to continue.
This policy will include a review of the Uniform Annual General Charge and
the Interim Transport Levy.

CUTTING WASTE & REDUCING SPENDING

Im committed to reducing waste and targeting spending so the Council delivers
better services and value for money for Auckland ratepayers. Success should be
measured by the results we achieve, not by how much money we spend. As your
Mayor, I will:

Deliver at least $500 million in savings through cutting waste

My plan will find savings of at least $500 million in back office waste over the

remainder of the 10-year Budget, whilst protecting frontline staff, services,

and key capital investments.
I will change the Councils culture of waste by introducing a stronger
financial transparency regime, opening the Councils books and imposing a
Mayor-led Line-Item Review programme.
I will target efficiencies in procurement, end duplication and cut back office
waste.

Vic Crone for Mayor | My Plan To Tackle Rates, Waste & Debt

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Im committed to reducing back office staff numbers and staff costs,

while improving frontline Council services.

Reduce staff costs by 5-10 per cent

The Super City was supposed to deliver a more efficient and more
connected way of managing Auckland. Our current leadership has not
followed through with that vision.
Auckland Councils staff numbers have grown out of control, and in each of
the last three budgets the staff cost line-item has blown out by more than
$50 million.

My plan will reduce staff costs by 5-10 per cent over the next three years,
representing savings of approximately $40 to $80 million. This falls within
the plan to deliver $500 million in savings across Council.
This reduction will be achieved by capping Council staff numbers at current
levels and delivering back office efficiencies. My plan will protect frontline
staff and frontline resources. Its essential that Council works smarter and
more collaboratively with a focus on delivering outcomes.

Vic Crone for Mayor | My Plan To Tackle Rates, Waste & Debt

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This plan will also address the size and scale of management
structures across Council and review staffing duplication.

GETTING DEBT UNDER CONTROL

Council must not burden future generations with debt and neither must it burden
current Aucklanders with high interest payments.
Auckland Council has committed to spend no more than 12% of income on the
interest generated by debt. While interest rates are currently very low, we need to
take action to get our debt under control.
As your Mayor, I will:

Pay down debt faster than currently forecast

We need to pay down debt sooner. I will use surpluses that exceed budgeted
projections (once confirmed), for the next three years to:
Reduce debt levels by making payments in addition to the debt
management plan.

Aim to keep debt repayments on interest under 12% of revenue

I will ask Council Management to confirm analysis that even minor changes
in interest rates will mean Council is breaching the 12% interest payments to
revenue cap in the outer years of the Long Term Plan.
I will instructCouncil Management for an updated debt management plan to
reflect the potential for interest rate changes overtime.

Vic Crone for Mayor | My Plan To Tackle Rates, Waste & Debt

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Follow Vics Campaign

vic4mayor.nz
info@viccrone.nz
facebook.com/Vic4Mayor
Twitter: @VicCrone
Instagram: @Vic_Crone
WeChat: Vic4Mayor

Vic Crone for Mayor | Strong leadership. Fresh ideas. Real results.